'Educating Rita' is a play in which the two main characters, Rita and Frank, are brought together in the world of literature and learning to provide Rita with an education and also shows how a comedy can form a clash of cultures. Russell uses humour as a tool to engage and entertain his audience whilst at the same time dealing with serious topics such as the clash of cultures and its effects when the two characters are brought together. The clash of cultures between Rita and frank serves to show the divide that appears between the upper and lower class and how that provides comedy from Rita’s experience with Frank’s academic world.
One example of a clash of cultures between Rita and Frank is in act one scene one, where frank and Rita first meet. Frank greets Rita by saying “you are” and Rita reply’s by saying “I am what?” Russell uses this defective exchange to highlight the difference between the educated upper class language used and the dialect of the lower classes by showing that Rita does not understand the meaning of Franks greeting. The effect of the exchange enlightens the reader on how the stereotypically middle class person can only see part or meaning behind the words of the more intellectual speaker and the whole picture. This misunderstanding by Rita is an example cringe comedy by the fact that her downfall or misunderstanding leads to a comedic affect that entertains the reader while also showing the more serious issue of the culture clash.
Another part of the play that highlights the clash of cultures is when Rita comments on a painting in franks room, she says it’s “very erotic” while frank reply’s “Actually I don’t think I’ve looked at in in ten years”, this example of clash of cultures comes from the
You May Also Find These Documents Helpful
-
In act one Priestly presents Shelia Birling using a variety of techniques. Firstly, during the beginning of the act, Priestly uses stage directions to present Sheila as a half-joking character with the stage direction ‘[half serious, half playful]’ to show that although the conversation may be sincere she beings a lightness to the atmosphere. In addition, another stage direction ‘[mocking aggressions]’ also indicates this half-joking, half-genuine characteristic and shows that Sheila adds the humour and sarcasm to the conversation in to room to insure it don’t become too firm. However, towards the ending of the act Sheila hears about the girl’s death which causes her ‘mocking’ side to disintegrates and the stage directions change to ‘[distressed]’ and ‘[agitated]’to show that this girls horrible death has touched Sheila and she concerned about the outcome of the investigation.…
- 613 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
It is a British movie based on a play written by Willy Russell that narrates the relationship of the two main characters: Susan (who asks to be called as Rita at the beginning of the story) and Dr. Frank Bryant. Susan is a young lady who belongs to the working-class, she works as a hairdresser and is about to get marry with her boyfriend, even though, after knowing Dr. Frank Bryan, she experiences a sense of freedom that leads her to leave behind the oppression she is living with his boyfriend and to get rid of the patriarchal regime in which she is immerse. Dr. Frank Bryant is a middle-aged man who works in a university as a lecturer, he is an alcoholic who has taken the tutorship to pay for his drink; the play opens as 'Rita ' meets her tutor, Frank, for the first time.…
- 681 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
The play, by J.B Priestley, was set in 1912 because the author wanted to give an audience a better understanding of the contrast in social class and hierarchy, which was split into Upper, Middle and working class, compared to what they had in 1945, when the play was written. Additionally, by setting it during The Edwardian era, the assemblage is able to observe the domineering Capitalistic views which is the heart of Arthur Birling’s philosophy.…
- 579 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
Educating Rita was written in 1980 by the playwright Willy Russell and is one of his most famous plays to date. Since the play has many similarities to Russell’s life, it is viewed as a semi-autobiographical play containing certain similarities to his life; for example both he and Rita were female hairdressers and were under-educated at school. The play is written as a comedy and shows the change in character and personality of a young woman, Rita, through her education at an Open University and also her effect on her tutor Frank. Russell creates humour through the class difference between her and Frank, developing their relationship throughout the play through the time they spend together and the change they act on each other. This change in their relationship and individual character is most noticeable in a comparison between the scenes Act One, Scene One and Act Two, Scenes One to Three.…
- 3558 Words
- 15 Pages
Powerful Essays -
Text A is an extract from Educating Rita, a play by Willy Russell, which immediately highlights the fact that this text is crafted speech, meaning it will show a lack of spontaneous utterances, as Russell will have used specific lexis to add to the emotive aspect of his play. The piece is set in a northern university, which conveys there is sociolect, such a ‘y’’ in the play. With the participants both being educated, as we know Frank is a middle-aged lecturer while Rita is his Open University Student, we understand that elevated lexis and field-specific words will be used – ‘unashamedly emotional statement’. Russell’s purpose in this extract is to display these two characters in alternative situations. Rita’s internal purpose is transactional as she aims to find out the quality of her Macbeth essay, whereas Frank’s purpose is interactive and expressive while attempting to be supporting of Rita regardless of failing to acknowledge her plea for help – ‘If I do somethin’ that’s crap, I don’t want pity, you just tell me, that’s crap’ – this quote highlights Rita’s lexis as she uses colloquialisms, such as ‘crap’ while accent is evident with the use of ‘somethin’’.…
- 942 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
Distinctively visual explores how we see and or visualize images in a way that allows us to become aware of various aspects in society. The play, The Shoe Horn Sonata written by John Misto and the film clip Stupid Girls by Pink, use distinctively visual elements to create a sense of awareness about women. Misto’s script pays tribute to the Australian female nurses in WWII, revealing the realities of war through the strength and resilience of Bridie and Sheila. Similarly, the characterization of the ‘stupid girls’ in Pink’s film clip, highlight the toxic messages of consumerism aimed at young girls. She ironically does this by exploiting her celebrity status through the media. Both composers position the responder to question the past and the media, and realize what woman have gone and are going through.…
- 1202 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
The characters in Jack Davis' play "No Sugar" are characters that fit colonial stereotypes (both Aboriginals and Whites) although they seem to be exaggerated. Contrasting characters reveal Ideological ideas and attitudes through things like language, often through conflict.40…
- 1308 Words
- 6 Pages
Better Essays -
The conflict between Hector and Irwin’s educational philosophies is highlighted within this extract, as their differing pedagogical practices are decidedly contrasting. Hector educates with the purpose of developing his students into “more rounded human beings” and believes in “knowledge, and the pursuit of it for its own sake”. The adjective ‘rounded’ is clearly conveyed through the boy’s prevailing use of literary references and poets such as ‘Auden’ and ‘Pascal’ along with their displays of a broad understanding and knowledge of the theatrical arts. He is presented as an anachronous character conveyed through the metaphor “he locks the doors against the future” and “the forces of progress”, and as one who throughout the play, almost purports to despise the pursuit of educational success. His cultural knowledge is perceived as no longer “useful” amongst the boys in regards to “preparing (them) for examination”, an aim sought out by Irwin, a counterpoint to Hector. This suggests one of the key pertinent issues of the play; is there a place and time for culture in today’s changing and politicised educational system? However, Posner and Scripps’ performance of the brief encounter, along with Timms’ claim that poetry “sometimes just flows out” all prove Hector’s pedagogical approach to be effective in achieving what he aims to bring across, and this sense of culture and the power of literature (a crucial theme to the play) still resonates within the boys and the audience…
- 1182 Words
- 5 Pages
Better Essays -
The importance of discovery through learning has been represented throughout the play “Rainbow’s End” as Gladys discovers the true wonders that education makes to one’s life. As Errol describes the encyclopedia as being “most beneficial. It will open up a world of dis..[…] A lifelong love of learning […] allowing them to reach their full[est] potential.”(p.134) Gladys begins to visualise one of her dream sequences in which she sees Dolly in a graduation robe and clapboard hat. This dream sequence emphasizes Gladys’ perspective of the importance of knowledge as she sees the encyclopedia as a beneficial factor for Dolly to learn and become a successful graduate through the knowledge the books contains. As Gladys did not have the opportunity to learn, she understands how important it is for Dolly to gain an education she truly deserves for her to move forward and assimilate.…
- 1019 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
The term, “clash of two cultures”, is often used to describe the kind of discomfort individuals feel when they move into an unfamiliar social.environment. The ideas, values and habits to which these individuals are accustomed, challenge or contradict the ideas, values and customs of the group or community they enter. InWeir’s film, the idealistic world of the Amish comes into conflict with the ugly sub-culture of police corruption, leading to internal conflict in their close knit community. The Amish also come into conflict within the local culture. When the key characters, Book and Rachel fall in love, the gap between cultures is further emphasised, driving the drama. A good paragraph.…
- 1276 Words
- 6 Pages
Powerful Essays -
Different responses to the play arise from variations in world view in which is influenced by the historical, social and cultural…
- 1070 Words
- 5 Pages
Good Essays -
In this essay I am going to explain how Alan Bennet uses dramatic comedy to criticise the contemporary attitudes towards education in the History Boys. The contemporary attitudes that are criticised are Utilitarianism, Humanism and Pragmatism. He does this by using a range of satirical devices. Satire is the use of humour, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticize people's stupidity or vices, particularly in the context of contemporary politics and other topical issues. It is usually used to comment on society by observing their way of thinking and they way they behave. The History Boys is a satire because throughout the book each attitude is being criticised through the characters; The Headmaster, Hector, Irwin and The Boys. All attitudes are shown to be in disagreement with each other as they all have a different view on education.…
- 1385 Words
- 6 Pages
Better Essays -
Into the world shows changes in an individual’s life through their personal experiences. One individual will go through many barriers and obstacles to achieve the change. The prescribed text, Educating Rita by Willy Russell and the related text, ‘The Story of Tom Brennan’ by JC Burke explores different and similar pathways to how the characters in those texts change through their new experiences. In the prescribed text ‘Educating Rita’ by Willy Russell is about a 26 years old woman, hairdresser Rita who starts seeks motivation in education to motivate her and move into a higher educated class leaving her working class behind. Russell uses extended metaphors and imageries throughout the play ‘window’ this symbolises as the physical barrier for the relationship between Rita and Frank and into the world. The colloquial language is a barrier for Rita at the start of the play when she enters Frank’s room ‘I’m comin’ in, aren’t I?’ which shows Rita’s education level isn’t that high. Also, Rita’s misunderstanding interpreted when Frank’s makes references to literature texts ‘Howard’s end’ Rita’s respond that it sounds ‘filthy’. Rita comes back from ‘summer’ break to the city of London; she becomes more mature as she meets her new flatmate Trish who gave her motivation to reach her goal to have a brighter future. In the related text ‘The Story of Tom Brennan’ by JC Burke is about a family after a brutal car accident their life’s was like chaos and many things in the family fell apart. Tom Brennan adopts a new way of looking at life through the use of first person narrative and visual imagery “everything I thought I knew about who I was and who the Brennan’s were changed forever” implies Tom’s innocence to alter his feeling of grief towards his recklessness brother Daniel because of the trouble Daniel make in the town. His family decided to move into a different town, Coghill implies a change in community dynamics through the use of colloquial…
- 331 Words
- 2 Pages
Satisfactory Essays -
Explain how the scene provokes this response and discuss how this aspect of the scene contributes to your understanding of the play as a whole.…
- 907 Words
- 4 Pages
Good Essays -
Shaw is delighted to make his audience feel uncomfortable by bringing out the contradictions, the silliness, or the plain viciousness of the beliefs and practices of society. One of the chief ideas present in most of his plays is that artificiality and false values prevent men and women from learning and spiritual growth.…
- 381 Words
- 2 Pages
Satisfactory Essays